Kick off the NEA Big Read New Haven with all our partners and Mayor Toni Harp! Listen to spoken word performances by J-sun and Midnight, make your own hoodie art with Katro Storm and sample Sandra’s Soul Food as we gear up to read Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine during May and June 2018.

Documentary. Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me explores the life and art of a uniquely gifted entertainer whose trajectory blazed across the major flashpoints of American society from the Depression through the 1980s. Frequently bracketed by the bigotry of white America and the black America, Davis was the most public black figure to embrace Judaism. More Information >

Join the Yale African American Affinity Group, LGBTQ Affinity Group, and Working Women's Network for a book discussion on Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine. Dessert and beverages will be provided.

A boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His mother helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is. Join us at the library to paint some rocks. Spread some color and joy in our city by decorating colorful rocks and hiding them for people to find. For ages 5 and up.

Health Disparities & Race is a panel discussion on the issues surrounding health equity based on inspiration from the book Citizen by Claudia Rankine. The discussion is among professionals from New Haven’s health clinics and academia including Cornell Scott Health Center, Fair Haven Health Care, Southern Connecticut State University and Yale University. It will cover this topic from the perspective of New Haven’s issues with health equity and what that means for it’s community residents.